FreeBSD: Missing Initialization of Resource
CVE-2024-8178 is a high-severity missing initialization of resource vulnerability in FreeBSD, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions p4, p10, p6 as the first without the flaw, so updating FreeBSD to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update FreeBSD to p4 or p10 or p6 or 14.1_p4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on security.freebsd.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD | FreeBSD | 14.1-RELEASE up to, but not including, p4; 14.0-RELEASE up to, but not including, p10; 13.3-RELEASE up to, but not including, p6; 14.1 up to, but not including, 14.1_p4; 14.0 up to, but not including, 14.0_p10; 13.3 up to, but not including, 13.3_p6 | p4, p10, p6, 14.1_p4, 14.0_p10, 13.3_p6 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.3 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
The ctl_write_buffer and ctl_read_buffer functions allocated memory to be returned to userspace, without initializing it. Malicious software running in a guest VM that exposes virtio_scsi can exploit the vulnerabilities to achieve code execution on the host in the bhyve userspace process, which typically runs as root. Note that bhyve runs in a Capsicum sandbox, so malicious code is constrained by the capabilities available to the bhyve process. A malicious iSCSI initiator could achieve remote code execution on the iSCSI target host.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Initialization of Resource
The product does not initialize a critical resource.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Explicitly initialize the resource before use. If this is performed through an API function or standard procedure, follow all specified steps.
- Pay close attention to complex conditionals that affect initialization, since some branches might not perform the initialization.
- Avoid race conditions (CWE-362) during initialization routines.
More Missing Initialization of Resource vulnerabilities (CWE-909)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in FreeBSD
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
Recent Missing Initialization of Resource vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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